Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I genuinely thank Senators for what I believe was a fantastic debate. Despite the fear of getting criticism yet again from a particular Deputy in the other House, every time I take a Bill to the other House having debated it here, I always mention that there was - as there always is - an excellent debate in the Seanad. A particular Deputy suggested that I might have a hankering to join the Seanad. I assured him that I do not. The debate on this and on a number of other significant Bills I have brought through are all the better for the input from the Seanad. We have had populist soundbites and proposals off the top of the head suggesting that we abolish something that is defined in our Constitution, which is having two Houses in the Oireachtas. Woe betide anyone who changes that because our legislation is the better for the type of debate we get in this House and indeed in the other House. If I have any influence on any suggestion to abolish the Seanad, I can assure Members that I will use that influence to ensure it does not happen. I do not say that in a political way.